Wine in the Hunter is easy. Coffee? Less so. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few spots to keep on the radar for your morning brew. Frank Fawkner from two-hatted EXP. Restaurant vouches for Meltdown, occupying a corner site on the border of Branxton and Huntlee. The reason? Single-origin espresso, house blends from Newcastle’s Floozy Coffee Roasters and iced matcha that’s just the right balance of bitter and sweet.

The fit-out is sunny and bright, with ochre accents from a central tiled coffee counter. On the plate? How about a fresh spin on cilbir, the Turkish egg dish ramped up with green harissa and dippy bread, or a bacon-egg roll with Old Bay barbecue sauce? Add occasional dinners and pop-ups with winemakers and it’s an essential stop-off, night or day.